pyroxylin

pyroxylin (pīrŏk`sĭlĭn), partially nitrated cellulose (see nitrocellulose). It is used in lacquers, plastics, and artificial leathers. Pyroxylin lacquers are made by dissolving pyroxylin in a mixture of volatile solvents and adding a plasticizer and a pigment or dye. Pyroxylin plastics are made by colloiding pyroxylin with large amounts of a plasticizer such as camphor; such plastics (e.g., celluloid) are highly flammable. Collodion is a solution of pyroxylin in ether and ethanol.

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pyroxylin [pə′räk·sə·lən]

(organic chemistry)

[C₁₂H₁₆O₆(NO₃)₄]_xAny member of the group of commercially available nitrocelluloses that are used for properties other than their combustibility; the term is commonly used to identify products that are principally made from nitrocellulose, such as pyroxylin plastic or pyroxylin lacquer. Also known as collodion cotton; soluble guncotton; soluble nitrocellulose.